GOP Grassroots Contemplate Enforcement Action to Insure Republican Party of Texas Compliance with Texas law

Press conference expected this week - experts available now for interview

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Debra Medina 979-253-0220

June 3, 2008

HOUSTON, TEXAS - A group of Republican activists coordinated by Wharton County GOP Chair Debra Medina announced today that it has undertaken action to ensure the proper enforcement of the Texas Election Code at the upcoming Republican Party of Texas convention in Houston. The group plans to seek the convention's compliance with Texas Election Code sections 174.094 and 174.095. These sections require the appointment of a temporary convention chair, seating of delegates, and the election of a permanent chair before the convention is allowed to conduct any official business.

The court action was prompted by multiple reports of Election Code violations from around the state at county and senate district Republican Conventions in March. Previous attempts to ensure their enforcement at the state convention in June have met with inexplicable resistance from the Republican Party of Texas' leadership.

"We as Republicans hold ourselves to be the party that respects the rule of law," said Wharton County GOP Chair Debra Medina, a coordinator of the efforts. "We've come to recognize that we have some serious problems within our own Party."

In late April, Medina retained attorney Gary Polland to negotiate an agreement with the Republican Party of Texas to follow the Texas Election Code at the upcoming Texas Republican Party State Convention to be held in Houston June 12-14. Polland, a former chairman of the Harris County Republican Party himself, reported on Tuesday that efforts to obtain an agreement from the state party have met with resistance and ultimately a refusal to simply consent to follow the law. Specifically, the Texas Election Code prescribes that the delegates at the state convention will select a permanent convention chairman before conducting business. The Party leadership continues to be unresponsive to these requests and to demonstrate a pattern of blatant disregard for the rules.

A press conference is planned later in the week to discuss the next step to be taken by the GOP grassroots leadership. More information will follow.

In the meantime, three participants are available for comment and interview.

Vanessa Cahill and Kay Fischer are GOP supporters from Corpus Christi, a county whose convention is alleged to have some of the worst election-law abuses. They filed local legal action last week. Robert Johnson is a professional parliamentarian and expert on Texas Election Law.

GOP Grassroots Contemplate Enforcement Action to Insure Republican Party of Texas Compliance with Texas law

Press conference expected this week - experts available now for interview

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Debra Medina 979-253-0220

June 3, 2008

HOUSTON, TEXAS - A group of Republican activists coordinated by Wharton County GOP Chair Debra Medina announced today that it has undertaken action to ensure the proper enforcement of the Texas Election Code at the upcoming Republican Party of Texas convention in Houston. The group plans to seek the convention's compliance with Texas Election Code sections 174.094 and 174.095. These sections require the appointment of a temporary convention chair, seating of delegates, and the election of a permanent chair before the convention is allowed to conduct any official business.

The court action was prompted by multiple reports of Election Code violations from around the state at county and senate district Republican Conventions in March. Previous attempts to ensure their enforcement at the state convention in June have met with inexplicable resistance from the Republican Party of Texas' leadership.

"We as Republicans hold ourselves to be the party that respects the rule of law," said Wharton County GOP Chair Debra Medina, a coordinator of the efforts. "We've come to recognize that we have some serious problems within our own Party."

In late April, Medina retained attorney Gary Polland to negotiate an agreement with the Republican Party of Texas to follow the Texas Election Code at the upcoming Texas Republican Party State Convention to be held in Houston June 12-14. Polland, a former chairman of the Harris County Republican Party himself, reported on Tuesday that efforts to obtain an agreement from the state party have met with resistance and ultimately a refusal to simply consent to follow the law. Specifically, the Texas Election Code prescribes that the delegates at the state convention will select a permanent convention chairman before conducting business. The Party leadership continues to be unresponsive to these requests and to demonstrate a pattern of blatant disregard for the rules.

A press conference is planned later in the week to discuss the next step to be taken by the GOP grassroots leadership. More information will follow.

In the meantime, three participants are available for comment and interview.

Vanessa Cahill and Kay Fischer are GOP supporters from Corpus Christi, a county whose convention is alleged to have some of the worst election-law abuses. They filed local legal action last week. Robert Johnson is a professional parliamentarian and expert on Texas Election Law.

Let's try to get this little-known story of DISunity in the GOP out to the press!

Wouldn't want to blindside them. :D

jblosser

06-03-2008, 02:08 PM

PS why this matters:

http://www.fairconvention.org/goals/organizing/

pepperpete1

06-03-2008, 02:25 PM

GOD BLESS TEXAS, wow never thought id steal a line;)

Hallalujah! Finally someone who is not going to stand by while the GOP breaks the law and rules and steals their votes!

Hold their feet to the fire guys!:D

georgiaboy

06-03-2008, 02:54 PM

And as iron sharpens iron, so we grassroots all over America have learned from each others' experiences, make real-time adjustments, and use the tools at our disposal to further the cause.

Onward!

Sandra

06-03-2008, 03:00 PM

Louisiana annd Texas! How about the other states that saw rampant abuse!?

Crickett

06-03-2008, 03:06 PM

I do not know about other states, but my state (AR) has GOP rules that if you want to "impeach" the County Chairman all you have to do is call a meeting for that purpose, get 1/3 of the GOP committee there, and he shall be removed by a vote of 2/3 of the people that are present. The only notice the Chair must be given is 10 days, in writing, listing the time and place. End of story. They should be doing that all over these state's counties if it is the same there. It is in our county committee rules under the "removal" section...

We happen to have a great county chairman, even if he is not for RP he is quite fair and reasonable...

Imperial

06-03-2008, 03:45 PM

I love the fact they have not labeled them as Ron Paul Republicans. They are just grassroots. Makes it more mainstream.

Good to see some action though.

jblosser

06-03-2008, 04:02 PM

"They" are not all necessarily Ron Paul Republicans. The presidential race has nothing to do with this issue.

I have no idea who Gary Polland voted for. I know Bob Johnson did not vote for Ron Paul.

scandinaviany3

06-03-2008, 04:53 PM

jblosser we are ready...let me know how much we need for attorneys

jblosser

06-03-2008, 09:27 PM

jblosser we are ready...let me know how much we need for attorneys

The attorney fees are currently covered, we need funds to help advocate we are there for fairness and mean it.

http://fairconvention.chipin.com/fairconventionorg

scandinaviany3

06-03-2008, 09:41 PM

just put up a chipin..and you will get it

jblosser

06-03-2008, 09:45 PM

Only if people notice the link apparently. :-P

http://fairconvention.chipin.com/fairconventionorg

Clicky Clicky.

tnvoter

06-03-2008, 09:57 PM

Is the GoP ackledging their party members yet? ;)

Arklatex

06-03-2008, 10:03 PM

Remember the ALAMO!

jblosser

06-03-2008, 10:23 PM

Is the GoP ackledging their party members yet? ;)

We have strong support from a lot of established people in the party for having a fair convention. As usual it's a few in the establishment who give others problems.